360° Brain Static

Brain Frontal Lobe

Frontal Lobe

Thinking & planning, decision making, senses, speech/language, behaviour.

Key Function

The frontal lobe is the area of the brain that plays a role in formation & retrieval of memories, problem solving, planning, language, speech, attention, and movement.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the frontal lobe. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the frontal lobe, this can affect the way a person thinks, their ability to make decisions, plan and organize their thoughts and actions, create and retrieve memories, pay attention, speak and move.
Brain Prefrontal Cortex

Prefrontal Cortex

Thinking & planning, decision making, behaviour.

Key Function

The prefrontal cortex is a part of the frontal lobe and is where the brain thinks, plans, and makes decisions.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the prefrontal cortex. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the prefrontal cortex, this can affect the way a person thinks, their ability to make decisions, plan and organize their thoughts.
Brain Corpus Callosum

Corpus Callosum

Thinking & planning, movement & coordination, decision making, emotions and feelings, senses, behaviour.

Key Function

The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres of the brain to help integrate information.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the corpus callosum. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the corpus callosum, this can result in experiencing disorganized, strange or abnormal thoughts. This can also result in psychosis or schizophrenia (in those who are vulnerable).
Brain Hippocampus

Hippocampus

Thinking & planning, decision making.

Key Function

The hippocampus is where the brain registers and stores memories.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the hippocampus. In the hippocampus, this can result in memory loss and difficulty learning new things and making decisions.
Brain Cerebellum

Cerebellum

Movement & Coordination

Key Function

The cerebellum is where the brain controls movement and coordination.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the cerebellum. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the cerebellum, this can result in feelings of dizziness or a loss of balance/coordination which can make activities requiring coordination, such as driving, dangerous.
Brain Basal Ganglia​

Basal Ganglia

Movement & Coordination

Key Function

The basal ganglia is where the brain controls movement and coordination.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the basal ganglia. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the basal ganglia, this can result in problems with coordination which can make activities requiring coordination, such as driving, dangerous.
Brain Thalamus ​

Thalamus

Movement & Coordination, Behaviour

Key Function

The thalamus is where the brain integrates and helps make sense of information such as sensory information coming from many other brain areas. The thalamus also plays a role in sleep/wakefulness, mood and behaviour including movement. The thalamus may also play a role in psychosis/schizophrenia.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the thalamus. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the thalamus, this can result in loss of coordination, changes in sleep/wake cycle, and changes in behaviour including psychosis or schizophrenia (in those who are vulnerable).
Brain Orbitofrontal Cortex​

Orbitofrontal Cortex

Decision Making

Key Function

The orbitofrontal cortex is where the brain makes decisions.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the orbitofrontal cortex. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the orbitofrontal cortex, this can affect one’s ability to make decisions.
Brain Limbic System​

Limbic System

Emotions And Feelings

Key Function

The limbic system is where the brain regulates emotions. It consists of the cingulate gyrus, the hippocampus and the amygdala.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the limbic system. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the limbic system, this can result in changes in emotions such as feeling happy, excited, calm, or feeling anxious, depressed, or paranoid.
Brain Amygdala

Amygdala

Emotions And Feelings

Key Function

The amygdala is where the brain processes emotions such as fear and anxiety.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the amygdala. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the amygdala, this can result in changes in emotions such as feeling anxious, fearful or calm.
Brain Hypothalamus​

Hypothalamus

Emotions And Feelings, Behaviour

Key Function

The hypothalamus is where the brain controls sleep, motivation, appetite and thirst as well as response to stress.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the hypothalamus. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the hypothalamus, this can result in feeling tired, sleepy and calm. This can also result in feeling hungry (‘the munchies’) and thirsty.

Brain Nucleus Accumbens​

Nucleus Accumbens

Emotions And Feelings, Behaviour

Key Function

The nucleus accumbens is part of the brain’s pleasure and reward system and regulates motivation.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the nucleus accumbens. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the nucleus accumbens, this can result in feeling ‘high’ when using cannabis and developing a dependence or addiction to cannabis.
Brain Parietal Lobe​

Parietal Lobe

Senses

Key Function

The parietal lobe is where the brain processes sensory information, helps to control movement and visual orientation, speech, visual perception and recognition.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the parietal lobe. These compounds can change the way brain cells communicate with one another. In the parietal lobe, this can result in altered sensations and perceptions including hallucinations, disorientation, confusion, loss of coordination, and problems speaking.
Brain Occipital Lobe​

Occipital Lobe

Senses

Key Function

The occipital lobe is where the brain processes vision, spatial cues, and movement.

Fact

The compounds in cannabis (e.g., THC) bind to brain receptors (cannabinoid receptors) located in the occipital lobe. In the occipital lobe, this can result in changes in visual perception, ability to judge distances, and even hallucinations.